Animal-resistant fence and method for assembling and using the same

ABSTRACT

An animal-resistant fence preventing entry of animals includes a first post, a second post, and a first panel member extending between the two posts. The fence further includes a second panel member extending from an upper portion of the first panel member above the ground level, and a third panel member extending from a lower portion of the first panel member beneath the ground level.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/344,747, filed on Jan. 6, 2012, the content of which is incorporatedby reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to fences and, moreparticularly, to fences for preventing rodents, vertebrate pests, andother animals from entering an area, such as a garden.

2. Background of Related Art

Many rural and suburban properties throughout the world include agarden. Professional and amateur gardeners spend a great amount time andmoney in creating and maintaining these gardens. Gardeners raise avariety of plants in their gardens including fresh fruits, vegetables,herbs, and flowers. These plants, however, can be destroyed by varioushungry and mischievous animals, including rabbits, raccoons, groundhogs,and rodents. As a result, an extensive industry has developed a varietyof products using mechanical, electrical, chemical, and/or or biologicalstrategies to prevent plant-damaging animals from entering a garden andeating or otherwise damaging plants in the garden. These products,however, are not entirely effective against plant-damaging animals.

Some of the mechanical products for repelling animals include inanimateanimal predators and enclosures. The inanimate animal predators arereplicas of predatory animals such as hawks or owls, which act as“scarecrows.” These scarecrows can be effective for short durationsuntil the animals learn that the inanimate animal predators pose littleor no threat.

The products in the form of enclosures are typically fences that enclosea garden and form an impenetrable barrier against plant-damaginganimals. These fences, however, are often not an effective barrieragainst hungry and clever animals. Absent a total enclosure (e.g., agreenhouse), fences can be scaled or tunneled under by animals.Moreover, these fences are difficult to install and are difficult forgardeners to access.

Garden fences are more effective against animals the greater theirheight. But taller fences may negatively affect the aesthetics of thegarden and block light that is crucial to the healthy growth of plantsin the garden.

Alternatively, gardeners can use chemicals to repel plant-damaginganimals. These chemicals are typically natural substances such as bloodmeal and urine or man-made chemicals such as naphtha and Ro-pel, whichcreate an odor that repels certain animals. These chemicals, however,have at least three major drawbacks: (1) they can be offensive to humansbecause they must be used in substantial amounts to be effective, (2)they are dependant on the direction and magnitude of the wind direction,and (3) they must be frequently applied because they are water-soluble.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure features a fence for preventing entry of animalsand a method of installing the fence. The fence is an effectivemechanism for repelling animals that can be easily installed, provideeasy access for gardeners, maintain the aesthetics of the garden, andpromote healthy growth of plants in the garden.

One aspect of the present disclosure features a fence including a firstpost and a second post. The fence further includes a first panelextending between the first post and the second post, a second panelextending from an upper portion of the first panel, and a third panelextending from a lower portion of the first panel. The fence may furtherinclude a strut attached to an upper portion of the first post and asecond strut attached to an upper portion of the second post. The firststrut and second strut are configured to support the second panelmember.

In some embodiments, the strut and the post are integrated into a singlecomponent of the fence. In some embodiments, the second panel extendssubstantially perpendicularly from an upper portion of the first panel.Similarly, the third panel extends substantially perpendicular from alower portion of the first panel.

In some embodiments, at least one of the first panel, the second panel,and the third panel includes a mesh material. In other embodiments, atleast one of the first panel, the second panel, and the third panelincludes a metallic material. In yet other embodiments, at least one ofthe first panel, the second panel and the third panel includes atransparent material.

In some embodiments, the fence includes a gate hingedly attached to apost. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the first panel isconfigured to be disposed below the surface of the ground.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the fence comprises a firstbarrier positioned approximately perpendicular to ground level and asecond barrier extending from a lower portion of the first barrier. Thefirst barrier defines an enclosure. Also, a lower portion of the firstbarrier is configured to be disposed below the surface of the ground.

In some embodiments, the second barrier extends from the lower portionof the first barrier at an angle that is substantially 90 degrees withrespect to the first barrier. In other embodiments, the second barrierextends from the lower portion of the first barrier at an angle that issubstantially 75 degrees with respect to the first barrier.

In some embodiments, a third barrier extends from an upper portion ofthe first barrier.

In some embodiments, the first barrier includes a non-biodegradablematerial.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure features a method ofassembling a fence on a section of ground, includes placing a pluralityof posts into the ground, attaching a first panel member to two adjacentposts of the plurality of posts, attaching a strut to an upper portionof each post, attaching a second panel member to the strut, attaching athird panel member to a lower portion of the first panel member. Thestrut extends at an angle from its attached post. The third panel memberdefines an angle with respect to the first panel.

The method may also include removing a portion of the ground adjacent tothe first panel member, attaching the third panel member to the lowerportion of the first panel member, and covering the third panel memberwith the removed portion of the ground. The method may further includeattaching a first corner panel member to the upper portion of at leastone of the plurality of posts, and attaching a second corner panelmember to a lower portion of the at least one of the plurality of posts.The method may further include attaching a gate panel member to at leastone of the plurality of posts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The animal-resistant fence and method for installing and using the samewill now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an animal-resistant fence according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a top-down view of a portion of the animal-resistant fence ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a portion of the animal-resistant fence of FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a portion of the animal-resistant fence of FIG.1 including a gate;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of one embodiment of a post of theanimal-resistant fence of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5B is a top-down view of the post of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C is a side view of the post of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5D is a perspective view of another embodiment of a post of theanimal-resistant fence of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5E is a side view of yet another embodiment of a post of theanimal-resistant fence of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a portion of the animal-resistant fenceof FIG. 1 showing the gate in a closed state;

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of a portion of the animal-resistant fenceof FIG. 1 showing the gate in a partially open state;

FIG. 6C is a perspective view of a portion of the animal-resistant fenceof FIG. 1 showing the gate in a completely open state;

FIGS. 7A to 7H are perspective views illustrating a method of installingthe animal-resistant fence according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method of installing components of theanimal-resistant fence according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An animal-resistant fence according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an animal resistant fence 10 in a grid layout 105. Asshown in FIG. 1, the fence 10 generally defines a square-shapedenclosure. The fence 10 may also define other enclosure configurations,such as polygon-shaped enclosures. The fence 10 includes three barriers:(1) a first barrier 100 placed in the ground perpendicular to the groundlevel so that at least a portion of the first barrier 100 is beneath theground level, (2) a second barrier 200 placed above the ground level andextending from an upper portion of the first barrier 100, and (3) athird barrier 300 placed beneath the ground and extending from a lowerportion of the first barrier 100.

The first barrier 100 includes a plurality of first, vertical panels 110positioned perpendicular to the ground level. Each first, vertical panel110 may have a rectangular shape or a square shape. The first barrier100 further includes a gate 115 that provides access to the areaenclosed by the fence 10. The gate 115 comprises a planar panel member.As illustrated in FIG. 1, the gate 115 may be moved from a completelyopen state, to a partially open state, and further to a completelyclosed state.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the second barrier 200 is mounted at the topportion of the first barrier 100. In some embodiments, the secondbarrier 200 is generally parallel to the ground level and is generallyperpendicular to the first barrier 100. The second barrier 200 includesa plurality of second, upper panels 210. Each second panel 210 may havea rectangular shape or any other suitable shape. Each second panel 210of the second barrier 200 corresponds to a first panel 110 of the firstbarrier 100. Each second panel 210 extends perpendicularly from theupper edge 112 of a corresponding first panel 110. In some embodiments,a first side 212 of each second panel 210 is adjacent to the upper edge112 of a corresponding first panel 110. Further, each second panel 210extends outwardly beyond the boundary defined by the first barrier 100to prevent invasion of animals over the upper edge 112 of the firstpanel 110.

In some embodiments, each second panel 210 is generally positioned at a90° angle with respect to a corresponding first panel 110. In thismanner, the second barrier 200 is generally perpendicular to the firstbarrier 100. In other embodiments, each second panel 210 is positionedat a 75° angle with respect to a corresponding first panel 110. In yetother embodiments, each second panel 210 is positioned at a suitableacute or obtuse angle with respect to a corresponding first panel 110.In this manner, the second barrier 200 forms an acute or obtuse anglewith respect to the first barrier 100.

The barrier 200 further includes at least one upper corner panel 205positioned at an upper corner of the fence 10. In some embodiments, thebarrier 200 includes four corner panels 205, each positioned at adifferent upper corner of the rectangular-shaped or square-shaped fence10. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the corner panel 205 is planar having acurved outer edge (e.g., having a quarter-circle shape). In otherembodiments, the corner panel 205 may have a non-planar geometry. In yetother embodiments, the outer edge of the corner panel 205 may have othershapes. For example, the corner panel 205 may form a square so that theouter edge of the corner panel 205 is defined by two sides of thesquare.

The barrier 200 further includes an upper gate panel 215 which ishingedly attached to an upper edge 117 of the gate 115 via threecircular hooks 219, as shown in FIG. 2. The circular hook 219 defines aclosed loop and secures one side of the upper gate panel 215 to theupper edge 117 of the gate 115. Accordingly, the upper gate panel 215can freely rotate with respect to the gate 115 about the circular hook219. In other embodiments, the upper gate panel 215 may be attached tothe gate 115 via other types of mechanisms that facilitate rotation ofthe upper gate panel 215 with respect to the gate 115 about the upperedge 117 of the gate 115.

As shown in FIG. 3, each vertical panel 110 includes a first, upperportion 116 above the ground level 305, and a second, lower portion 118below the ground level 305. A post 315, e.g. 315 b illustrated in FIG.3, is positioned between each pair of first panels 110. Each first panel110 is mounted between two of these posts 315. For instance, asillustrated in FIG. 3, the first panel 110 a is supported by a firstpost 315 a and a second post 315 b. Each post 315 supports two firstpanels 110, so that the first panels 110 can maintain their verticalposition even when a force is applied to one of the first panels 110.Each post 315 has a lower, end 317 that extends beyond the lower edge114 of the first panel 110. The lower, end 317 has a sharp edge tofacilitate insertion into the ground.

Each first post 315 also includes an upper end 335. Each upper end 335includes at least two grooves 337 a and 337 b, each being dimensioned toreceive an edge of a second panel 210. The first post 315 has a height“H1,” which is defined as the distance between the lower end 317 and theupper end 335 of the first post 315. Each first panel 110 has a height“H2,” which is defined as the distance between the lower edge 114 andthe upper edge 112 of the first panel 110. As shown in the embodiment ofthe fence of FIG. 3, the height “H1” is greater than the height “H2.”

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a strut 320 is disposed at the upper end 335of each of the posts 315. Two struts, e.g., struts 320 a and 320 b, areattached to each of the corner posts, e.g., post 315 c. The two struts320 a and 320 b are placed at 90° with respect to each other to supportan upper corner panel 205. Further details regarding the struts 320 arediscussed below with reference to FIGS. 5A-5C. As shown in FIG. 1, eachsecond panel 210 is supported by two struts 320 c and 320 d that aremounted on two posts 315.

Turning to FIG. 4, the gate 115 is positioned between a first post 315 dand a second post 315 e. Specifically, the gate 115 is hingedly attachedto the first post 315 d, and is configured to rotate about the post 315d to move between a closed state and an open state. The gate 115 definesa height “H3” less than the height “H2” of the first panel 110. Theheight “H3” also corresponds to the height of the portions of the firstpanels 110 that are above the ground level 305. Beneath the gate 115 isa solid panel 410 mounted between the two posts 315 d and 315 e andburied beneath the ground level 305.

FIGS. 5A-5C provide detailed illustrations of a post 315 and a strut320. The post 315 includes a rod 613 having a sharp tip 617 at the lowerend 317 of the post 315 for penetrating the ground. Four identical fins615 a-d extend radially outwardly from the rod 613 and extend along mostof the height of the rod 613. The fins 615 a-d are arranged around therod 613 so that adjacent fins are at right angles with respect to eachother. Accordingly, the post 315 has a cross-like cross-section. Aportion of the fins 615 a-d at the lower end 317 of the post 315 tapersdown to the surface of the rod 613.

As shown in FIG. 1, the struts 320 are configured to support the barrier200 including the second panels 210, the upper corner panels 205, andthe upper gate panel 215. As shown in FIGS. 5A-5C, each strut 320 ismounted to one fin 615 a of the post 315. Specifically, the strut 320includes a triangular member 607, a vertical flange 603 coupled to oneside of the triangular panel 607, and a horizontal flange 605 coupled toanother side of the triangular panel 607. The strut 320 also includes aslotted member 610 that protrudes from the surface of the verticalflange 603. The slotted member 610 is configured to receive the fin 615a so that the strut 320 can be mounted onto the post 315. The horizontalflange 605 is configured to support the barrier 200.

The strut 320 and the post 315 may be coupled together in a variety ofways. In some embodiments, the strut 320 is an integral part of the post315. For example, the strut 320 may be permanently attached to the post315 by using an adhesive or by using a welding or overmolding process.In another example, the strut 320 and the post 315 may be moldedtogether as a single component of the animal-resistant fence 10.

In other embodiments, the strut 320 is detachably connected to the post315. For example, the slotted member 610 of the strut 320 releasablyengages with the fin 615 a of the post 315. Accordingly, when the secondbarrier 200 needs to be removed, e.g., for maintenance, the strut 320can simply be detached from the fin 615 a. Also, the distance betweenthe second barrier 200 and the ground level 305 may be selectivelychosen by attaching the strut 320 at a desired height on the fin 615 a.

In yet other embodiments as illustrated in FIG. 5D, the strut 320 can behingedly attached to the post 315 via a pivot connection. The slottedmember 610 of the strut 320 and the fin 615 a of the post 315 may eachinclude an aperture through which a bolt 620 or other similar fasteneris placed to secure the strut 320 to the post 315. In thisconfiguration, the strut 320 and corresponding second panels 210 thatare supported by the strut 320 can rotate about the bolt 620 to transitbetween a first position substantially perpendicular to the post 315 anda second position substantially aligned with or parallel to the post315.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 5E, a post 315 has two struts connectedto it: a first upper strut 320 attached to an upper portion of the post315, and a second lower strut 340 attached to a lower portion of thepost 315. The second lower strut 340 has the same configuration as thefirst upper strut 320 except that the second lower strut 340 isconfigured to be disposed beneath the ground level 305 to support thethird barrier 300, which includes the third panels 330 and third cornerpanels 325. The third barrier 300 prevents or at least impedes animals,such as rodents, from simply digging under the first barrier 100 to gainaccess to the plants that are contained within the enclosure formed bythe first barrier 100. Indeed, an animal trying to dig under the firstbarrier 100 will be stopped by the third barrier 300.

When the lower struts 340 are mounted to the posts 315, each third panel330 would be supported by two lower struts 340 mounted to lower portionsof two respective posts 315. These second lower struts 340 are used tosupport the third barrier 300.

In one embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 5E, the post 315 may have bothstruts 320 and 340 attached to it. In other embodiments, the post 315may have only one strut attached to it, either the first upper strut 320or the second lower strut 340. When the post 315 does not have thesecond lower strut 340 connected to it, the third barrier 300 may beburied in the ground adjacent to the posts 315 and/or and the firstbarrier 100.

Turning to FIGS. 6A-6C, the gate 115 is hingedly attached to a cornerpost 315 d, such that the gate 115 is configured to rotate about thecorner post 315 d. The upper gate panel 215 is hingedly attached to thegate 115 via the circular hooks 219, such that the upper gate panel 215can rotate with respect to the gate 115 about the circular hooks 219.FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate various states of the gate 115. FIG. 6Aillustrates the gate 115 in its completely closed state. In this state,the gate 115 is completely aligned with an adjacent first panel 110 andmeets the other post 315 e. The upper gate panel 215 is coplanar withthe second barrier 200. FIG. 6B illustrates the gate 115 in itspartially open state, spaced away from the post 315 e. In this state,the upper gate panel 215 may be rotated upwards about the circular hooks219. FIG. 6C illustrates the gate 115 in its completely open state.

As shown in FIG. 1, the fence 100 also includes a third barrier 300positioned beneath the ground level 305. As illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6C,the third barrier 300 is similar to the second barrier 200 but is buriedbeneath the ground level 305. As described above, the third barrier 300is configured to prevent animals from digging under the first barrier100. In some embodiments, the barrier 300 is positioned perpendicular tothe first barrier 100. In other embodiments, the barrier 300 ispositioned at an acute or obtuse angle with respect to the first barrier100. In yet other embodiments, a portion of the third barrier 300 may bepositioned above the ground level 305, and the remaining portion of thethird barrier 300 is positioned below the ground level 305.

As shown in FIGS. 6A-6C, the barrier 300 includes third, lower panels330. Each lower panel 330 extends from a lower portion of acorresponding first panel 110 outwardly beyond the enclosure defined bythe first barrier 100. The barrier 300 also includes lower corner panels325.

In some embodiments, each third panel 330 is positioned at a 90° anglewith respect to a corresponding first panel 110. In other embodiments,each third panel 330 defines a 75° angle with respect to a correspondingfirst panel 110. In yet other embodiments, each third panel 330 definesan acute or obtuse angle with respect to a corresponding first panel110.

In some embodiments, a second panel 210 is positioned at a first acuteangle with respect to a corresponding first panel 110, and a third panel330 is positioned at a second different acute angle with respect to thesame first panel 110.

FIGS. 7A-7H illustrate individual steps for installing theanimal-resistant fence 10. As illustrated in FIG. 7A, a user firstprepares a grid layout 105 where the fence 10 is to be built. As shownin FIG. 7B, the user places posts 315 around an outer perimeter of thegrid layout 105 so that there is a uniform distance between adjacentposts 315. As shown in FIG. 7C, the user mounts a first panel 110 topairs of adjacent posts 315, leaving an open space between posts 315 dand 315 e for later installation of the gate 115. As shown in FIG. 7D,the user attaches a strut 320 to the top portion of each post 315 thatis not a corner post 315. The user attaches two struts 320 to eachcorner post 315, and the two struts 320 are positioned at a 90° anglewith respect to each other.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7E, the user places a second panel 210 betweeneach pair of adjacent struts 320. Next, as shown in FIG. 7F, the userremoves a portion of the ground adjacent to the lower portion 118 of thefirst panels 110, and attaches a third barrier 300 including lower,third panels 330 to the lower portion 118 of the first panels 110, whichis below the surface of the ground. In some embodiments, the userattaches a lower strut 340 to the lower portion of each post 315, andattaches the third barrier 300 to the lower struts 340. As shown in FIG.7G, the user attaches upper corner panels 205 to respective upper struts320 positioned at the upper corners of the fence 10 and attaches lowercorner panels 325 to respective lower struts 340 positioned at the lowercorners of the fence 10. As shown in FIG. 7H, the user attaches the gate115 to the post 315 d, buries a solid panel 410 under the ground betweenthe two posts 315 d and 315 e directly beneath the gate 115, and placesa lower panel 330 adjacent to the solid panel 410. Finally, the usercovers the barrier 300 with the soil that was removed from the ground.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method 800 of installing the animal-resistantfence according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Themethod includes arranging a layout grid 105 at step 802, setting posts315 at step 804, and placing vertical fence sections, e.g., first panels110 at step 806. The method further includes installing struts 320 onthe posts 315 at step 808, installing upper horizontal fence sections,e.g., second panels 210, at step 810, and installing lower horizontalfence sections, e.g., third panels 330, at step 812. Still further, themethod at step 814 includes installing corner fence sections, e.g., boththe upper corner panels 205 and the lower corner panels 325, andinstalling the gate 115 at step 816.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the fence 10 includes all three barriers 100,200 and 300. In other embodiments, the fence 10 includes only the firstbarrier 100 and the third barrier 300. In yet other embodiments, thefence 10 includes the first barrier 100 and the second barrier 200.

It is understood that the various components of the animal-resistantfence may be secured together using a variety of mechanisms includingfasteners, nails, rivets, nuts and bolts, screws, or glue.

In some embodiments, the first panel 110 includes a non-biodegradablematerial. In other embodiments, at least one of the first panel 110, thesecond panel 210, and the third panel 330 includes a mesh material. Inyet other embodiments, at least one of the first panel 110, the secondpanel 210, and the third panel 330 includes a metallic material. Instill other embodiments, at least one of the first panel 110, the secondpanel 210, and the third panel 330 includes a transparent material.

While several embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown inthe drawings and/or described in the above description, it is notintended that the disclosure be limited to what is shown in the drawingsand/or described in the above description, as it is intended that thedisclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that thespecification be read in a similar manner. Therefore, the abovedescription should not be construed as limiting, but merely asexemplifications of particular embodiments. Different embodiments of thepresent disclosure may be combined with one another based upon theparticular needs of the fence to prevent entry of animals. Those skilledin the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spiritof the claims below.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A modular fence comprising: a plurality ofposts, each of which comprises a plurality of longitudinally extendingfins extending radially outward from each post relative to alongitudinal axis thereof; a plurality of first panel members, each ofwhich is configured to extend between a respective pair of adjacentposts of the plurality of posts perpendicular to or substantiallyperpendicular to a ground level and a respective edge of each firstpanel member is configured to engage with a fin of the plurality of finson a respective one of the pair of posts; a plurality of struts, eachcomprising a flange, a slotted member defining a slot configured toreceive a fin of the plurality of fins of a respective one of theplurality of posts to enable attachment of each strut to a post of theplurality of posts, and a bracing member disposed between the flange andthe slotted member to support the flange by engaging with a post of theplurality of posts, the plurality of struts comprising a plurality ofupper struts configured to attach to upper portions of a respectiveplurality of posts and a plurality of lower struts configured to attachto lower portions of a respective plurality of posts; a plurality ofsecond panel members, each of which is configured to be disposed on theflanges of a respective pair of adjacent upper struts of the pluralityof upper struts, the flange of a respective one of the pair of upperstruts being configured to support a respective edge of each secondpanel member, wherein the second panel member is positionable at leastpartially non-parallel relative to the first panel members; and aplurality of third panel members, each of which is configured to bedisposed on the flanges of a respective pair of adjacent lower struts ofthe plurality of lower struts, the flange of a respective one of thepair of lower struts being configured to support a respective edge ofeach third panel member, wherein the third panel member is positionableat least partially non-parallel relative to the first panel members. 2.The modular fence of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of upperstruts is hingedly attached to a post of the plurality of posts topermit movement of a second panel member of the plurality of secondpanel members from a first position substantially perpendicular to thefirst panel member to a second position substantially parallel to thefirst panel member.
 3. The modular fence of claim 1, wherein each of theplurality of second panel members extends substantially perpendicularlyfrom an upper portion of a first panel member of the plurality of firstpanel members.
 4. The modular fence of claim 1, wherein each of theplurality of third panel members extends substantially perpendicularlyfrom a lower portion of a first panel member of the plurality of firstpanel members beneath the surface of the ground.
 5. The modular fence ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of first panel members,the plurality of second panel members, and the plurality of third panelmembers comprises a mesh material.
 6. The modular fence of claim 1,wherein at least one of the plurality of first panel members, theplurality of second panel members, and the plurality of third panelmembers comprises a metallic material.
 7. The modular fence of claim 1,wherein at least one of the plurality of first panel members, theplurality of second panel members, and the plurality of third panelmembers comprises a transparent material.
 8. The modular fence of claim1, further comprising a panel member hingedly attached to a post of theplurality of posts to form a gate.
 9. The modular fence of claim 1,wherein the plurality of first panel members, the plurality of secondpanel members, and the plurality of third panel members each comprises amesh material and a frame surrounding the mesh material.